Modern technology is superior and more economical.
By Bill Jennings
It’s challenging to recall when boats lacked radar, plotters, or sonar. Navigation relied on maps, a compass, and extensive local knowledge. Fortunately, those eras are long gone, and today’s electronics keep improving and becoming more budget-friendly.
Every year, numerous new marine electronic devices come out, enhancing safety and enjoyment on the water. Our editors evaluated the latest marine electronics and chose some top picks.
Position, Position, Position
Garmin has recently launched a new series of medium-sized keyed and touchscreen devices that integrate high-quality sonar with marine chart plotting for boaters who wish to observe what’s on both sides of their vessels.
The devices include built-in Navionics mapping data, providing anglers with the latest and most detailed cartography ready to use right out of the box. This ultra-high-definition scanning sonar can reach depths of up to 100 feet.
The ECHOMAP UHD lineup offers 6-, 7-, or 9-inch display options, all featuring a quick-release bail mount for convenient setup and removal. Garmin has successfully fused their acclaimed technical expertise into more compact and economical display options. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices range from $500 to $1,200.
www.garmin.com/marine
Underwater Vision
The updated Airmar TM165HW transducer boasts a 30-degree wide beam coverage area, providing triple the normal underwater visibility. It has a chirp frequency range of 150 to 250 kHz at 600 watts for fishing depths reaching 500 feet. This Airmar transducer is an easy DIY upgrade for inshore anglers aiming to boost their fishfinder’s performance and is designed for boats up to 25 feet in length, making it compatible with most sonar manufacturers’ products. Expect a more detailed return on fish and baitfish targets spread across a larger area from underneath your boat. Approximately $500.
www.Airmar.com
What’s Out There?
Simrad’s latest Halo 20 radar employs solid-state pulse compression technology, allowing superior target resolution at distances of up to 72 nautical miles. It powers up within seconds and detects objects much closer than traditional pulse radars. The Halo performs a complete 360-degree scan every 60 seconds in short, mid, and long-range modes, delivering exceptional collision avoidance for both stationary and moving targets. Thanks to solid-state electronics, a brushless motor, and a sealed gearbox, this device requires minimal maintenance, even in harsh marine conditions. The Halo 20 retails for just over $3,000.
www.Simrad-Yachting.com
Heavy-duty
A recent addition to the TACO lineup of sport fishing outrigger mounts, the heavy-duty Pro Series GS-400 suits boats up to 50 feet long. It is engineered to withstand the added strain from the torque and whip generated by longer outrigger poles.
The GS-400 is compatible with 1-1/2-inch diameter outrigger poles reaching up to 24-feet long. Its robust locking head allows for precise positioning, while the rotation handle is offset by 30 degrees for convenient hand clearance across various top designs.
www.TACOMarine.com
Get to your destination and keep going
One of the fastest-growing types of bicycles becoming popular among boaters is the electric folding bicycle. It’s easy to see why. These foldable vehicles can be unfolded and folded in under a minute, offering excellent convenience and accessibility while enabling transportation at your destination for 25 to 40 miles on a single charge. Naturally, when folded, these bikes occupy remarkably little space on your boat.
An excellent example of folding electric bikes is the Rad Mini 4, priced under $1,500. It includes full fenders, multi-terrain tires, and halo headlights for optimal side visibility.
www.Radpowerbikes.com
Communication at Sea
Horizon’s new Explorer Series GX1850 25W Fixed Mount VHF is sure to spark conversations among boaters. The simple menu system minimizes input steps, streamlining programming and DSC calls. When connected to a GPS, it provides navigation details and waypoints.
The slim case, 3.3” deep, conserves helm space, and it has plug-and-play compatibility with the NMEA bus. An optional second station can connect to operate all of the main radio’s functions. The night display mode reduces glare while navigating at night. Users can save up to 10 favorite channels and set priority scan. Explorer VHF radios carry a straightforward full 3-year warranty and an ongoing lifetime warranty for the original owner, complete with a flat rate cost-saving program. The GX1850 is available for under $200.
http://www.StandardHorizon.com
I can see you now
Using a SiOnyx Aurora monocular scope significantly enhances night vision, making it an invaluable boating asset. Additionally, this SiOnyx doubles as a camera, capable of capturing images and videos in monochrome or color.
Boaters can view and record their surrounding environment in 720 HD at any time, with accurate day and night imaging. The water-resistant Aurora is 4.6” long and weighs only 8 ounces, making it easy to store in a jacket pocket. It has modes for day, twilight, and night, and at night, the Aurora can detect light wavelengths far beyond human vision. While the human eye perceives up to 700 nm infrared wavelengths, the Aurora detects up to 1,100 nm. Retailing around $400.
www.Sionyx.com
Who’s Watching?
When you’re away from your boat, Siren Marine empowers you to ensure your boat remains secure and ready for enjoyment. Affordable, easy to install, and user-friendly, Siren Marine seamlessly connects you with your vessel. You can monitor activities on your boat while also managing specific functions.
After installing the SirenSat MTC device and linking it to your chosen electronic components for monitoring, download the iOS or Android app on your phone, tablet, or PC. This setup enables you to monitor unauthorized access, entry, and theft, as well as control various onboard functions, like a bilge pump. Approximately $600.
www.SirenMarine.com
Power Up
Nearly every boater can appreciate a waterproof, hardwired battery charger installed on board. The ProSport 12 Amp charger from ProMariner offers fast, efficient three-bank charging in a lightweight design. The digital LED display eliminates troubleshooting hassles, indicating whether connections are secure or if there’s a fault with a particular battery bank. After selecting your battery type, the ProSport initiates its five-stage charging process, employing state-of-the-art digital pulse charging technology. Between charging sessions, ProSport automatically reconditions all onboard batteries monthly to extend their life and performance. It comes with a 3-year warranty and retails for roughly $170.
www.ProMariner.com
Did You Forget Me?
Did you know that falling overboard is the leading cause of boating fatalities? A simple man-overboard scenario can quickly become dire if it goes unnoticed or occurs in choppy waters. Various solutions are available to address this issue, but a novel one has emerged. Mercury Marine, in collaboration with Fell technologies, is integrating a MOB system into Mercury’s SmartCraft digital systems. The helm unit works in conjunction with remote devices worn on your wrist or attached to your clothing. You can connect up to four remotes to the main hub simultaneously. The system immediately alerts everyone on board, and in certain situations, it can shut the engines off. The engines may be restarted within six seconds. Individual fobs are priced around $40 each, while the Fell central unit costs around $160. For information regarding the SmartCraft suite version, check with your Mercury dealer.
A Smart Activation
Bigger boats typically have an array of equipment switches. Now, you can implement a switch designed to prevent salt corrosion on metal components found in conventional switches. Most traditional switches rely on mechanical feedback systems dependent on rotary or lifting actions. The new F31K2 switches utilize two inductive elements to decouple mechanical movement from position, effectively avoiding salt contact. As no physical contact is necessary, the sensor can be hermetically sealed from the actuator. With the module encased in durable translucent plastic, the sensor and components are safeguarded against moisture, vibration, impact, and UV exposure. The product range also includes cable and plug accessories. You can opt for F31K2 switches whenever replacing switches on your boat.
http://info.hotims.com/73000-280
TEEZER TD-2000 2-Spool Electric Teaser-Dredge Reel
Electric Fishing Reel Systems Inc., producing high-quality, American-made Elec-Tra-Mate electric fishing reels for 50 years, began manufacturing premium, electronically-governed teaser reels back in 2003. These systems are designed to be integrated into overhead compartments in flybridge hardtops, allowing for the deployment and retrieval of lines through the outriggers using motor-driven reels that handle hookless topwater teaser lures or submerged dredges, aimed at drawing in billfish, tuna, and other pelagic species into the trolling spread.
The company’s standard electric “pancake” TEEZER reels are made for larger sport fishing vessels. Their newer TD-4000 TEEZER-DREDGE reel involved three electrical engineers, two mechanical engineers, over a million dollars in development costs, and two years of ocean testing for design and production. This four-reel model is targeted at larger boats, offering a smart way to set, pull, and retrieve teasers and heavy dredges simultaneously with a single keypad. Once programmed, the unit “remembers” the set points for your teasers and dredges for the next deployment.
Despite the compact size of the TD-4000, it must be installed in newly built boats.
“After receiving requests from boat owners for a smaller version that could be retrofitted into existing hardtops, we developed the TD-2000, introduced in November at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. This reel is the world’s most powerful and advanced two-spool electric teaser/dredge reel, and due to its compactness, it’s perfect for installation under larger center console outboards, thereby offering high-tech features similar to much larger sportfishing boats outfitted with a TD-4000.”
The new TD-2000 measures just 20” wide, 16” long, and 7.5” high, compatible with both 12 or 24 volts. Each spool can accommodate 679 feet of 400-pound mono or 422 feet of 600-pound mono. Its retrieval speed reaches 393 feet per minute, and patented Spool Guards prevent line spillage from the spools. Each spool can be programmed independently for Home and Fishing Position stops, with the Prospect Memory Feature allowing the operator to save multiple distances and toggle between them. A digital readout displays the position of each lure or teaser, and the Variable Speed Control can be adjusted according to sea conditions. Additionally, a loud alarm signals when a fish strikes the teaser or dredge.
“All our products are manufactured in Greensboro, North Carolina,” said Huffman, “not in China or elsewhere. We carry out all machining in our fully equipped CNC shop. We manage everything in-house.”
For more information regarding the TEEZER TD-2000 and Elec-Tra-Mate reels, visit www.elec-tra-mate.com